Clean Eating Challenge :: 3 Health(ier) Afternoon Snacks

I have to be accountable for not posting this on Monday as I initially planned. Poor planning on my part after getting caught up with a dear friend. The commitment continues…

And the Clean Eating Challenge Continues!
You know that post lunch emptiness…the need to munch on something to tide you over until you get home? Most times, we grab what ever is available at the corner store, whatever is cheapest and quickest. I am so guilty of that. Those potato chips never ended well for me. Days later, I have a break out or a rash and there is no need to wonder why! Of course, fruit is always a trusty go to and you should keep a weekly stash on your desk.

One tip that has worked for me: Sometimes when you think your hungry, drink plenty of water or have some tea. You may just be on verge of dehydration versus actually being hungry.

Here are three afternoon snacks to that will save you money and from packing on pounds:

Home Popped Popcorn (not that microwave stuff)

You can air pop or or stove top pop. Air popped is preferred but alas I haven’t own a machine in years. I really should get one! The following video is a great tutorial from America’s Test Kitchen on how to pop the perfect kernels. In this instance, I’d use coconut oil.

I add a variety of spices to my popcorn including, but not limited to, sea salt, nutritional yeast (vit b source), cayenne pepper, dulse (seaweed; good source of iron), dill, turmeric and so much more. You can ever go the sweet route using brown rice syrup or agave with cinnamon.

DIY Trail Mixes

One of my favorite snacks is making my own trail mix. I prefer combining seeds and dried fruit to not only tide me over but provide extra nutrients, especially before and after a workout. My absolute favorite combination is pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, a little bit of hemp seeds, raisins, dried cranberries and cacao nibs. This is also a great combo for adults and kids with nut allergies. The cacao is raw chocolate that is a tad bitter but provides a natural source of caffeine. The other seeds provide everything to magnesium to omegas 3s and 6s. There are endless amounts of combinations. For those who like nuts, add a few like almonds. I prefer organic and sulfate free fruits in my mix. Next week, I’ll see if I can recreate one of my old snack ball recipes recipes and post on the site.
Hummus

I use to eat so much hummus with carrots, I was pretty convinced that one day I would turn orange. Best snack ever. You can make it at home or pick it up on the go. Most stores carry some for of hummus and you can grab a bag of baby carrots. If you choose to make your own, you don’t have to do the typical chickpeas either. You can make black bean hummus, edamame hummus, etc. There are a variety of options, toppings, spices to make it new and interesting.

One of the main ingredients in hummus is tahini, which are seasame seeds ground into a paste/butter texture. Did you know a quarter cup of sesame seeds provides 35% of daily calcium need? “These seeds are also super high in cooper (1/4 cup = 74.0% of daily needed), magnesium (32 % of daily needed) , trytophan (an essential amino acid, meaning that the body can’t manufacture it :: 38), manganese (44%), iron (29%) phoshoprus, zinc, vit B1 and fiber.”-Got Almond Milk? Ways to get your plant-based calcium fix